Aspen Yoga Studio - New To Yoga?

Benefits Of Yoga

A regular yoga practice has many health, psychological, and life enhancements including stress reduction, calmness, peace of mind, peaceful sleep, and stimulated creativity.

Physically you may experience increased flexibility, strength, better muscle tone, weight loss, and lower blood pressure.

In many cases the proper application and practice of yoga has been known to heal injuries, release pain and promote longevity.

Yoga can help you feel younger, more energize and help give you a more positive outlook on life.

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient transformational practice of breath, movement and meditation which dates back many thousands of years.

What Yoga Is Not

Yoga is not about stretching or forcing your body into a contorted position.

It is not a religion.  However, many texts have been written on proper thought and principles of living which may lead to a higher state of awareness and consciousness.

How To Use Yoga

Everyday your body is different.  You may go to bed one evening feeling energized, strong and pain free and wake up the next morning feeling like a train wreck, weak and in pain.

You can use your yoga practice to gage your energy levels and to practice accordingly.  Some days your practice will be for stress reduction and relaxation while other days it may be to energize or strengthen.

Styles Of Yoga

There are many styles of Hatha Yoga (everything we see as postures and breathing).  Popular styles are Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Bikram, “Hot Yoga”, Iyengar, Kundalini, Anusara and Forrest Yoga.

Forrest Yoga

Created by Yoga Pioneer, Ana Forrest, was designed to address the issues (physical and psychological) we carry in our bodies.

Stress, both physical and psychological, finds a home in our bodies. Forrest yoga uses breath, postures, alignment and movement to free the “issues from the tissues” and welcomes your spirit home to create a more vibrant and balanced individual.

I have taught Forrest yoga exclusively since 1999.

My Theory

1) As you relax the brain and the muscles your bones will become your structure

2) With the breath your muscles and ligaments will find the natural length around the bones

3) You engage the muscles intelligently to hold the bones and joints in their proper place

4) Breathing through this engagement creates energy flow, opens joints and creates heat, melting away muscular, emotional and energetic holding patterns

How I Teach

Rather than teaching a single class I teach a 4 – Week Yoga Course. The course guides you step by step to opening your body intelligently, creating internal space, increasing energy flow and strength. 

I demonstrate each posture, and walk you step by step both verbally and visually through each posture and exercise.

When I instruct you on breathing, I’m not just telling you to breathe. I am communicating to the entire process of breathing.

Each class builds on the previous class to give you a foundation from which you can practice and use yoga as a mean for a fuller, happier more peaceful and balanced way of living.

Upon completion of the beginner course you may move on to the Intermediate Course.  The intermediate course picks up where the beginner course leaves off.  It is a process for refining how you work and relate to yourself and for deepening your self awareness.

As with anything we do or study whether it is business or a hobby – if you don’t have a solid or proper foundation, at some point you can’t go any further, you stumble or even have setbacks.

This happened to me.  As a kid I was an athlete and played Football, Hockey, Golf and Racquetball.  I swam, worked out and ran regularly in my early and mid twenties. When I began taking yoga I took classes at my health club and specialized yoga studios.

Because of my athletic and physical skills I skipped the foundation level courses.  Unfortunately I injured myself by stretching too far and not using my breath.

When I participated in the Forrest Yoga Foundation Teacher Training my knees were healed in the second day and they were once again strong.  This was 11 years ago.  I haven’t had a knee challenge since!

Is This You?

You want the positive benefits yoga promises.  You want and welcome the guidance of a personable, knowledgeable teacher who guides you step by step in a safe, nurturing environment.

My Courses are for individuals who are or are ready to develop self patience and discipline on the mat and take it out into their world. 

If you want fast results without doing the work you would probably be better suited somewhere else.

Class Size

Class Size is limited to 10 students so you get the attention you need. 

Class Schedule:

Beginner Classes are 90 Minutes Long

1) Mondays 9 – 10:30 AM & Saturdays 8:30 -10 AM - registration before July 29 - $160, thereafter $180

You also get online access to instruction sheets of postures and sequencing we did in class as well as instructional video clips of each posture or exercise. 

You’ll have access to these as long as you are enrolled in classes.

What you need for class.

Wear comfortable athletic clothing, shorts, pants or leggings which have room to give, and athletic top or tee shirt and which also contains you.

Equipment:

You’ll need a decently padded Yoga Sticky Mat, a second mat or large towel with a decent knap, a strap (8’ or longer with D rings), and a block.

Where’s the Studio?

The August Serie will be held at The Red Brick School Building Rehearsal Room, 110 East Hallam Street, Aspen

Make-ups:

There are none. Registration fills quickly and is limited to 10 students per class. Occasionally if I know another student will be missing a class, I may allow a make-up in the open space, but I can't guarantee it.

Missed classes may not be refunded or credited to any future sessions, workshops, private or intensives.  I do not accept partial registrations.   You may register for the full session but only attend a portion of the classes.

If you are new to my teaching, it is not recommended that you miss classes in the beginning of the session.

Registration

Registration is on a first come basis. For quickest and easiest service register online.

You may pay by check by mailing your class requests and check made payable to Aspen Yoga Studio or Richard Bird, P.O. Box 3787, Aspen, CO 81612.

Please call 970.366.2947 with any questions.  I prefer speaking to you over the phone than by email.  Common questions are usually about your challenges or injuries or if the class is suited to you.